Social Worker or Family Advocate

The Center for Family Representation Inc. (CFR) is an innovative law and policy organization that serves primarily Black and Brown families and youth in Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island. CFR's goal is to defend and protect clients' rights, reduce the harm of family separation, and minimize the time any child spends in the foster system.

CFR provides interdisciplinary family defense by assigning every client an attorney and a social work staff member, supported by parent advocates with personal experience. CFR's Early Defense Practice represents parents during ACS investigations, while the SCR Practice helps clear parents' names from state maltreatment records.

The Youth Defense practice (YDP) represents youth at risk of family separation through incarceration, using the same interdisciplinary model. CFR's Home for Good program provides legal and social work services to address various issues threatening family stability.

CFR's Family Defense Practice seeks a Social Worker or Family Advocate for its Staten Island Office.

Primary Responsibilities

• Work as part of CFR’s interdisciplinary legal teams to provide high quality legal defense and meet objectives such as keeping children out of foster care and promoting quality visiting arrangements.
• Provide direct social work support and advocacy to clients.
• Conduct intake and client interviews, assess clients' needs and goals, and ensure meaningful service plans.
• Refer clients for necessary services.
• Maintain contact with service providers to obtain letters for court.
• Advocate for clients at Administration for Children's Services and foster care agency conferences.
• Participate in team and administrative meetings within CFR.
• Keep up to date client legal notes and enter data in CFR's database.

Qualifications

• Social Worker applicants must have an LMSW or MSW degree and be eligible to become licensed within ten months of hire.
• Family Advocate applicants must have a Bachelor's degree, preferably with some experience related to the NYC family policing system or social justice.
• Prior experience working in or with the NYC family policing system or family court is preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish or other languages is preferred.
• Experience with public benefits, education, housing, or immigration is desirable.

Salary & Benefits

CFR offers a competitive compensation package, including a base salary and benefits governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the CFR Union.

Apply

Candidates should submit their cover letter and resume through CFR's Career Portal.